The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction 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 leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
