Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing global competition 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
