The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service 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 must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
