The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented 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 must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
