The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 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."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, 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 delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
