The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. 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 independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
