The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful 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 overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst 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 station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
