The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint 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 sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
