Recent American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the former president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our 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 further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
