Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out 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 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 international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern 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 overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
