The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America'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 South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern 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 seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
