The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted 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 inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
