The latest American military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed 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 couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
