The recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the strategically important island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Venezuelan campaign, a prominent conservative commentator, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat additionally highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its military budget recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Arctic and regional security. "Furthermore, we demand full respect for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the commander-in-chief, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during intensifying global rivalry 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 look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish security agency took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland issued a unified and stern statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Copenhagen, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now reconsidering the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank director focusing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station 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.
