The latest American military action in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Outrage
Merely hours following the commencement of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to absorb the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since returning to office, the American leader has repeatedly alarmed European allies with his stated desire in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant media interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to military force to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during growing 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders 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."
Surveys in Greenland shows a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Some analysts are now reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the rhetoric 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 not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
