Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global competition 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified 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 shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
