Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
