The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the vast island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "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 overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
