The latest American strike in Venezuela and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing global 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 take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
