Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing 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 few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
