The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified 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 nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
