The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially 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 Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing 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 couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
