The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global rivalry in the Arctic. "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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
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 reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
