The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern 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 nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
