Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, 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 also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent 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 volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint 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 reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
