The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency 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 statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
