Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
