Recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
