The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power rivalry 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern 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 vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
