Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US 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 guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
