The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful 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 nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
