The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing 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 troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
