The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm 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," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves 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 expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 stated.
He characterized 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."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. 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 deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
