The recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global competition 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
