Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global rivalry 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
