The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force 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 described 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 Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted 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 on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
