The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Official Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also 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 guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending recently, earmarking a large amount expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to serve 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, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It currently hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying great-power 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 Resistance
In reaction to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued 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 reveals a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also little to no appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
