The recent American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" 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 decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
