Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage 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 option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
