The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect 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 expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "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 island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
