The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
