The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" 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 decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
