Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy 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 station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
