Recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked 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 representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
