The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the strategically important island following the operations in South America.
Inflammatory Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant media interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying great-power competition 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
