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 political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently 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 which power could do anything about it," she observed.
