The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate 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 work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global competition 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
