Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep 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 ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry in the polar region. "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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
