The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’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 the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
