Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers 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."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
