Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
