The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
