The recent American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
