The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 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 international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
