The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American 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 US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
