Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern 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 picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
