Recent US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the detention of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on Greenland. Followers of the ex-president's political movement have reportedly turned their attention to the resource-rich landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Messages and Diplomatic Outrage
Only a short time after the start of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is the spouse of a high-ranking presidential adviser, shared a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong condemnation from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should continue to cooperate as such. US security is also the Arctic's and Denmark’s security," stated the Danish ambassador to the United States. "Our nation and the United States collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The ambassador additionally pointed out that Denmark had significantly increased its defence spending recently, allocating a large sum specifically for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect complete recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The tensions were further complicated by the recent naming of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the commander-in-chief, stating it was an "privilege" to serve in a unpaid role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy praised the administration's actions, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic allies with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already hosts the most northerly US air base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a significant television appearance, the president refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This stance comes amid growing 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 "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Growing Friction and Local Resistance
In response to this persistent "drumbeat" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the unprecedented step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland delivered a unified and stern statement: "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 sentiment. While a vast majority of the territory's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to become part of the United States. The territory has had the legal right to declare sovereignty for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Threat?
Military analysts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank director specializing in military analysis conceded she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "now not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's not clear to me who could intervene about it," she concluded.
