The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 characterized 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 Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
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 cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
