The recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry in the Arctic. "I don't rule it out. I don't say I'm going to do it, but I don't rule out anything... We need Greenland very badly," he remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
