The recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.