Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our 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 diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently 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 intervene about it," she observed.
