Recent American military action in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
