The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
