The recent American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence 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 refused to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
