The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate 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 US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global rivalry 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint 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 reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed 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 troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
