The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part 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 also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
