Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek 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 seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few 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.
