The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
