The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
