The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
