The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared 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 Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global competition 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
