The recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 stated.
He described 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 international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
