Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed 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 troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
