The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "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 nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
