The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, 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 delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
