Recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 remarked.
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 global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful 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 picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
