US Military Operation on Caracas Stokes Fears of Potential Greenland Acquisition.
The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US security is equally Greenlandās and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 "very small amount of people, which weāll take care of, and weāll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of threats, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director focusing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
