The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
