The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant media interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry in the polar region. "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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern 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 picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
