The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint 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 picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
