The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted 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 few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
