The latest US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together 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 US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
