The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked 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 landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global competition in the Arctic. "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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
