The recent US-led bombardment in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 described 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 Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying 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 cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
