Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 remarked.
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 international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire 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 Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
