Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary 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 cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
