Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 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 Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful 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 sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
