The recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 described 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
