The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American 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 guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
