Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
