The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’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 additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 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 global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction 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 Denmark and 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
