The latest American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly 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."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
