The latest US-led military action in Venezuela and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
