Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position 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."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
