The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have ignited unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power competition in the Arctic. "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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
