The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment 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 "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global rivalry 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
