Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 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 global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified 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 territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
