The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 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 global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
