Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 stated.
He described 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
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 cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
