The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
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 openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
