The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused 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 "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 Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful 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 nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
