The recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 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 threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
