The latest American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
