The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US 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. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
