The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked worry regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, posted a suggestive image. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"We are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for defence and future resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
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 take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
