Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
