The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to 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 United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 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."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
