Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and 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 sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
