The recent American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 remarked.
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 constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
