Recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
