Recent American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together 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 guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing global rivalry 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" 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 Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
