The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power rivalry 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
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."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
