The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
