The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the seizure of its leader have ignited apprehension regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's base have reportedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Messages and Official Backlash
Merely hours after the initiation of the Venezuelan operation, a well-known right-wing podcaster, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, posted a symbolic map. The picture depicted Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "SOON."
This blatant suggestion to annex the mineral-rich land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, triggered immediate and firm criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together as such. American security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the United States work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further pointed out that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending recently, allocating a large amount specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand complete recognition for the sovereign borders of the our realm," he added.
Political Appointments and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further complicated by the previous appointment of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The appointee had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since assuming office, the US president has consistently unnerved transatlantic partners with his stated interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as vitally important for defence and potential resource extraction. It currently houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the use of armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes amid growing great-power competition 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 global security."
Growing Tensions and Local Opposition
In reaction to this persistent "rhetoric" of threats, Denmark's intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and stern rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Surveys in Greenland shows a nuanced picture. While a vast majority of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to become part of the United States. The island has had the option to declare sovereignty for many years.
Analyst Assessment: A Plausible Threat?
Military experts are increasingly re-evaluating the likelihood of such a action. One policy director specializing in defence admitted she had once dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to station a couple hundred or a couple thousand soldiers on Greenland, and it's unclear to me which power could do anything about it," she observed.
