The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
