The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This position comes during growing great-power rivalry in the polar region. "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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, 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 issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric 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 not clear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
