Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
