The latest American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to 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 administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 stated.
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 Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
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 must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy 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 deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
