Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry in the Arctic. "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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible 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.
