The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to 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 collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 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 Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
