The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage 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 option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
