Recent American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies 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. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying 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 administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence 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 couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
