Recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy 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 substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action 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 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 Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
