The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing 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 inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
