Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 stated.
He described 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 global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
