The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously 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 few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
