Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and 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 shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
