Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," 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 appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently 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 unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
