The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state 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 volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global rivalry 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
