The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to 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 collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered 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 territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
