The latest US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s 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 ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, 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 unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
