Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action 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 stated.
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 global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint 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 shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once 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 few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
