The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
