The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
