The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric 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.
