The latest American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official 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 adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power competition 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 stated.
He described 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."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
