The latest American military action in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the former president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a suggestive image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "SOON."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during 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 "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
