The recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
