The latest American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s 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 the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position 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 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 global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty 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 defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
