Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing global competition 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 remarked.
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 Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director 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 station a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
