The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 characterized 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 international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
