The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
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 cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director 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 deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
