Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid 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 repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" 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 delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
