The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
