The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together 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 United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global rivalry 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 Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
