The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’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 Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency 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 forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory'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 seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
