Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
