Recent US-led strike in Venezuela and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also 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 ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
