The latest American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power competition 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now 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 not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
