Recent American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
