The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of 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 stated.
He described 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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
