Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role 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 "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out 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 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint 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 reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
