The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence 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 few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
