The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role 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 assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of 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 "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 Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
