The recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies 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. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future 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 exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power competition 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both 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 complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
