The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’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 diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
