The recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued 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 reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once 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 few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
