The latest American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish 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 take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
