The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
