The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition in the polar region. "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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's 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 unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
