Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
