Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power competition 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
