Recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 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."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
