The latest American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted 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 which power could intervene about it," she observed.
