The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
