The recent American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 described Greenland as having a "very small 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 constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently 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 which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
