The latest American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global rivalry in the Arctic. "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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis admitted 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 few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
