The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global competition 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 described 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."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders 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."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
