The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted 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 troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
