The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 remarked.
He characterized 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."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
