The recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic 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 NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 stated.
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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response 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 prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
