The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both 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 reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded 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 troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
