The recent American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated 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 work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president refused 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
