The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position 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 remarked.
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."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
