Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
