Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "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 territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis 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 few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
