Recent US-led strike in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly turned their attention to the strategically important landmass following the operations in South America.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas campaign, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a senior presidential adviser, shared a symbolic map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, accompanied by cryptic caption: "COMING."
This overt suggestion to claim the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, triggered swift and firm condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is equally Greenland’s and our security," stated the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a large amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we expect full respect for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he emphasized.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, saying it was an "privilege" to work in a volunteer capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the broader "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently unnerved transatlantic allies with his stated interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to exclude the resorting to military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid intensifying 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 stated.
He described Greenland as having a "very small amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of both Greenland issued a unified and forceful 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 picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously scant desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Plausible Scenario?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence conceded she had previously discounted the sabre-rattling but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a few hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
