The recent American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 stated.
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."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction 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 delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
