The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish 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 forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
