Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 remarked.
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 Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy 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.
