The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" 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 delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
