The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future 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 armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 characterized 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 "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
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 cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
