The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s 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 substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
