The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.