Recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global competition 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
