Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to 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 United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
