The latest American military action in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 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 global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
