The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, 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 continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our 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 significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
