The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 remarked.
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."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern 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 picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
