The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power competition 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
