The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
