Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also 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 Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
