The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we expect full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to exclude the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 remarked.
He described 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 Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying 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 must not take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
