Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
