The recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state 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 military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful 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 nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
