Recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 stated.
He characterized 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."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted 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 unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
