The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global competition 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered 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 complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
