The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "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 vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
