The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
