Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 remarked.
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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy 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.
