The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power competition in the Arctic. "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."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified 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 shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed 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.
