Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued 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 shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted 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 few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
