The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified 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 residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now 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 not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
