Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power rivalry 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 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 international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
