The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful 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 picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
