The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 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 Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful 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 sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
