The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together 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 work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global competition 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
