The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
