The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's base have reportedly turned their attention to the vast island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential aide, posted a suggestive map. The graphic depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant media interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying global 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the island's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
