The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency 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 stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
