Recent American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 characterized 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 global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "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 inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric 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 who could do anything about it," she observed.
