The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation 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 commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint 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 nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
