Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no 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?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank 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 deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
