The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating 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 praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
