Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 stated.
He characterized 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 Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, 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 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 territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
