The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 stated.
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 Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
