The recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked 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 events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
