The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
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 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
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 cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
