Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 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."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
