The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
