Recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power competition 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 stated.
He described 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."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
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 annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
