The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response 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 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
