The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
