The recent American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global rivalry 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" 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 delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
