The recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
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 "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified 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 shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently 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 who could intervene about it," she concluded.
