The latest American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador 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 the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful 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 vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
