The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
