Recent American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
