Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s 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 additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard 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.
