The recent American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 remarked.
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 response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now 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 concluded.
