The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to gain control of 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 value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
