Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 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 international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
