Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director 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 station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
