The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners 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 US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
