The latest American strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word message: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the leader refused to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during intensifying great-power rivalry in the Arctic. "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 Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
