The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global 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 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."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
