The latest American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim 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 continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex 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 legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
