Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 characterized 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 Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful 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 complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
