The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global competition in the polar region. "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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
