The recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 described 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling 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 inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
