Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 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."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented 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 nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
