The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to 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 actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "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 overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
