Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers 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 reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
