The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
