The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "And yes, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a significant television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 described 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."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
