The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, posted a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of military force to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying global competition 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 remarked.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had previously 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 on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
