The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
