The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force 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 characterized 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."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
