The recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
