The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the use of military force 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
