The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 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 threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders 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 shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
