Recent American bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners 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. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered 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 vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
