Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
