The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power competition in the polar region. "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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction 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 issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows 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 join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling 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 on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
