The recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power competition 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "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 residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
