Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 stated.
He characterized 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."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now 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 who could do anything about it," she concluded.
