Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally 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 North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
