The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked unease regarding America's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the ex-president's base have allegedly turned their attention to the vast island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Caracas campaign, a prominent conservative podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a suggestive image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant suggestion to claim the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and firm condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"We are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the US work together to guarantee security in the North."
The ambassador further highlighted that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the military action in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It currently houses the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid growing 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local 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 leaders of Denmark and Greenland delivered a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the legal right to seek sovereignty for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One thinktank analyst specializing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
