Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the president 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 characterized 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 response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and 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."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
