The recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted 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 on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
