The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire 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 move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
