The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global rivalry 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 international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
