Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together 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 United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global competition in the polar region. "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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency 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 cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
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