Recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
