The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time following the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted 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 troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
