Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 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 international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers 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 territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
