The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
