The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
