The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
