Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry in the Arctic. "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 reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
