The recent American strike in Venezuela and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid 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 "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global competition 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful 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 picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded 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 soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
