The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only hours following the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered critically important for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president 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 characterized 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."
Mounting Friction and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and 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."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
