The latest American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 remarked.
He described 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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's 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 joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted 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 soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
