The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
