Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power competition 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint 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 overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
