The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its leader have renewed apprehension regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a substantial amount specifically for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative commended the president's actions, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the leader declined to exclude the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also scant desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank director focusing in defence conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
