The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
