The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
