Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally 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 North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
