Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US 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 further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, 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 joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
