The recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling 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 which power could intervene about it," she observed.
