Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling 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 who could do anything about it," she concluded.
