Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
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 publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president refused 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "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 inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
