The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
