The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
