The recent US-led military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Supporters of the former president's base have allegedly focused on the vast landmass following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas campaign, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a symbolic map. The graphic depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This overt threat to annex the mineral-rich region, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked immediate and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. US security is also the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The diplomat additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "honour" to serve in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Force
In a significant television interview, the president declined to rule out the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid growing great-power 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 remarked.
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 Local Opposition
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a joint and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
