The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
