The recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer 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 "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish 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 forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
