Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming 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 unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 stated.
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."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "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 sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
