Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions 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 operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy 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 concluded.
