The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
