The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global rivalry 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 remarked.
He characterized 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 Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
