Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global competition 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed 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 soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
