Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global rivalry 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 remarked.
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 global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing 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 couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
