Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state 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 volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint 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 reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
