The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
