The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
