The latest American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters 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 Official Outrage
Only hours following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 remarked.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "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 territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
