Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the president declined 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 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 global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
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 cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
