The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, 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 representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
