Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
