The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "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 overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now 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 concluded.
