The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
