The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered 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 shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing 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 few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
