Recent American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered 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 territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
