The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 remarked.
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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
