The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
