The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
