The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s 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 diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
