The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 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 international security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued 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 shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
