The recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 remarked.
He described 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 Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
