The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming 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 volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power competition 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."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued 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 shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
