The recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also 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 Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 "very small 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 reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
