Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our 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 Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
