The latest American military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly focused on the vast landmass following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely a short time after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"We are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated 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 serve in a volunteer capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes during growing 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 characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
