Recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 characterized 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 response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
