The recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global competition 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
