The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
