The recent American bombardment in the South American nation and the seizure of its president have sparked unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Followers of the ex-president's base have reportedly set their sights on the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Only hours after the start of the Caracas operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a senior White House adviser, posted a symbolic map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, accompanied by single-word message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to claim the mineral-rich land, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish representatives.
"We 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. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to ensure security in the Arctic."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had substantially boosted its military budget recently, allocating a substantial amount expressly for Northern and North Atlantic security. "And yes, we demand full recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "make Greenland a part of the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the president's decisive move, connecting it to the wider "war on drugs."
Since assuming office, the American leader has consistently alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is considered vitally important for national security and potential mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes amid 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 characterized Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll look after, and we’ll cherish them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Tensions and Indigenous Resistance
In reaction to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Denmark's intelligence service 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."
Public opinion in Greenland reveals a nuanced picture. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek independence from Copenhagen, there is also little to no desire to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare sovereignty for over a decade.
Analyst View: A Credible Threat?
Some experts are increasingly re-evaluating the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in military analysis conceded she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a few hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
