The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "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 overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
