The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
