Recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent 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 "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, 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 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
