Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Members of the former president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing global 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
