The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified 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 complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
