Recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
