Recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now 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 which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
