Recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 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 international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
