The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
