Recent American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying 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 must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
