Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 stated.
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 Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed 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 couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
