The latest American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
