Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 stated.
He characterized 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
