Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
