The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 remarked.
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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
