The recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently 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.
