The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 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 international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
