Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate 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 United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating 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 praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response 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 prime ministers of both Greenland issued 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 shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
