The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global competition in the Arctic. "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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed 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 on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
