Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
