The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After 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 transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 stated.
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 international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
