Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 stated.
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."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite 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?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
