The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified 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 vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
