The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 remarked.
He described 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 Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency 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 stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
