The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 remarked.
He described 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."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling 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 concluded.