Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
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 picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
