Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified 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 nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
