The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism 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," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global rivalry 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified 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 reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
