The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have renewed apprehension regarding Washington's ambitions on Greenland. Supporters of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic image. The picture depicted Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This overt threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to work together as such. American security is also Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the North."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially increased its defence spending this year, allocating a large sum expressly for Arctic and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand complete respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were additionally complicated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the military action in Venezuela, this envoy commended the president's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "war on drugs."
Ever since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his stated desire in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future resource extraction. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president declined to exclude the use of armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 stated.
He characterized Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
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 "potential threat."
The leaders of both 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."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert View: A Credible Scenario?
Some experts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director focusing in military analysis admitted she had once 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 troops inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
