Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs 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.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "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 vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst 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 couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
