Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power rivalry 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
