The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted 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 troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
