Recent American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally 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 additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "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 nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
