The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state 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 "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 remarked.
He characterized 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 Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
