The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful 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 nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, 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 Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
