The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
