Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated 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 additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global competition 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
