Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the strategically important island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
