The latest American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 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 international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both 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 reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
