The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee 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 president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "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 territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
