Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power rivalry 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
