Recent American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry in the polar region. "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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
