The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic'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 additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming 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 volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders 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 reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
