The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global rivalry 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 characterized 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 Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
