The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power 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 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 international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently 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 unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
