Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
