Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish 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 joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.