The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 stated.
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 constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
