The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 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 international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified 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 complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
