The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" 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, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 stated.
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 international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously 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 not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
