The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
