The recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have ignited unease regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly set their sights on the vast island in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours following the start of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior White House adviser, posted a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the single-word caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong criticism from Denmark's representatives.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep cooperate as such. American security is equally the Arctic's and our security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a large sum expressly for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Strategic Goals
The situation were additionally exacerbated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, connecting it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The island is considered vitally strategic for defence and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television appearance, the president declined to rule out the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This position comes amid intensifying great-power 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, 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 unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You must not annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a complex sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a move. One thinktank analyst specializing in military analysis admitted she had previously discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could intervene about it," she observed.
