The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
