The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
