The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep 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 guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
