Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity 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."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence 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 on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
