Recent US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted 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 troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
