The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
