The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power competition 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, 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 unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
