Recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever 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 northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered 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 complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
