Recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying 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 cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
