The latest American bombardment in Venezuela and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
