The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 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."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
