Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"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," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global competition in the polar region. "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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
