Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power rivalry in the polar region. "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 Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying 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 complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire 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.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
