Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern 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 island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence 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 few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
