The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric 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 do anything about it," she concluded.
