The latest American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, 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 envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now 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 who could do anything about it," she concluded.
