Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 stated.
He characterized 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 Friction and Local Opposition
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 both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently 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 intervene about it," she observed.
