The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex 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 work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer 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 broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny 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 response to this constant "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 both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
