The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited worry regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important island in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to absorb the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together 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 work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had significantly increased its military budget recently, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Arctic and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had openly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a joint and stern 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 inhabitants seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for many years.
Expert View: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could intervene about it," she concluded.
