The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American 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 ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" 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 issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "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 territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
