The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
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 annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
