Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
