The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited apprehension regarding America's ambitions on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly focused on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas operation, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, shared a suggestive map. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly expressed gratitude to the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically important for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the northernmost US military base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a notable media interview, the president declined to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 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."
Growing Tensions and Local Resistance
In response to this constant "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Copenhagen, there is simultaneously scant desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare independence for many years.
Analyst View: A Plausible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a move. One policy director specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric but was "currently 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 unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
