Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm 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 our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
