Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep 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 United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global rivalry 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
