The recent American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish 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 joint 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 nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
