Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies 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. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.