The recent American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
