The 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 former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 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."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
