The recent American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish 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 unified 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 inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded 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 couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
