The latest American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only 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, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders 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."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
