The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry in the polar region. "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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified 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 reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now 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 which power could intervene about it," she observed.
