The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
