The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "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 independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
