Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both 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 reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
