Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 stated.
He described 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 global security."
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling 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 unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
Milan is een ervaren opticien met een passie voor visuele technologie en klantgerichtheid.
