The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" 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 decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint 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 sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
