Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
