The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force 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 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 Indigenous Opposition
In response 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 leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now 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.
