The recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the vast island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important 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 president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
