The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are close allies 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 guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president refused 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted 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 troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
