The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs 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.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence 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 few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
