The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events 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 repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power competition 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful 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 picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
