The latest US-led military action 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 base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated 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 highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 stated.
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 international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
