Recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power competition 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 global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint 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 complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
