Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, 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 cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
