The latest American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
