Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy 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."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, 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 delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
