Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’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 highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently 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 not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
