Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of 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 stated.
He described 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."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
