The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
