The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire 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 stated.
He described 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 Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right 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 analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
