The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
