The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment 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 volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 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."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
