The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the leader 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
