Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power competition in the polar region. "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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
