The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment 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 serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
