Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous 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 Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
