The recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 "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 persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
