Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst 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 few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
