Recent American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
