The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, 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 praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
