Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
