The latest American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both 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 shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
