Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, 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 unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently 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 unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
