The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism 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 Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
