Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 remarked.
He characterized 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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
