Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global competition 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued 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 nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence 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 few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
