The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power competition 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling 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 nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
