Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful 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 nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
