The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during growing great-power 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once 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 inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
