Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
