Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
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 leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
