The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
