Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
