The latest American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers 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."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
