The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
