The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
