The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 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."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, 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 issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, 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.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted 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 soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
