The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
