Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.