The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power competition 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish 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 unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
