The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling 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 unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
