The recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
