Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
