The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is also Greenland’s and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget this year, earmarking a substantial amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force 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 characterized 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."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, 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 delivered a joint 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 overwhelming percentage of the island's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
