Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
