Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US 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 guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 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 international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
