The latest American strike in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing global 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 described 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."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed 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 intervene about it," she observed.
