The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 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 global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
