The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
