The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
