Recent American strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted 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 few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.