The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared 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 highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both 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."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents 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 independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
