The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard 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 do anything about it," she observed.
