The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies 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. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
