The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
