The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic'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 further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "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 vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
