Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 "tiny 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 reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
