The latest American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 "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 Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
