The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint 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 sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
