The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
