The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 "tiny 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 constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
