The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "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 desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
