The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish 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," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently alarmed European allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both 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 reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
