The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
