The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners 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 US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 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."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
