The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Only hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners 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 United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global competition 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful 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 nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now 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 not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
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