The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director 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 station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
