Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified 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 shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
