The latest American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global competition 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
