The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action 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 consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 characterized 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "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 picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
