The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
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 annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
