Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint 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 reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted 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 troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
