Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president 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 stated.
He described 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."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
