The latest American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and 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."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
