The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small 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 "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
