Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further 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 volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency 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 statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
