Recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally 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 ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 described 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
