Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek 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 over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
