The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have allegedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior presidential adviser, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This overt threat to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important 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 leader declined to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a couple thousand troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
