The latest American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
