The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
