The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying 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 "tiny 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 threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
