Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global 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 stated.
He described 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."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" 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 statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
