The latest US-led strike in the South American nation and the detention of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by cryptic message: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"We are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect complete respect for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally strategic for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to military force to acquire 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" 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 delivered a joint 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 picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had previously discounted 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 troops inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could intervene about it," she observed.
