The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Venezuelan campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position 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 characterized 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 Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
