The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying 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 president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered 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 shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
