The latest American strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
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 prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
