Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally 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 additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern 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 inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
