The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
