The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern 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 nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
