The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally 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 North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, 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 many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
