The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, 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 View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
