Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying global 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 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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard 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.
