The recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
