The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
