The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, 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 critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 remarked.
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 Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
