The latest US-led bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed unease regarding Washington's designs on the Arctic territory. Supporters of the former president's political movement have reportedly focused on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Provocative Posts and Official Backlash
Only a short time following the initiation of the Caracas operation, a well-known conservative commentator, who is the spouse of a senior presidential aide, shared a suggestive map. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the stars and stripes, with the cryptic message: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant region, which is a part of the NATO alliance, provoked swift and strong criticism from Danish officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should keep work together as such. American security is equally Greenland’s and Denmark’s security," declared the Copenhagen's envoy to the United States. "The Kingdom of Denmark and the US work together to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The diplomat further highlighted that Denmark had substantially increased its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Arctic and regional defence. "Furthermore, we demand full recognition for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark," he emphasized.
Administrative Moves and Geopolitical Goals
The tensions were additionally complicated by the previous appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The governor had openly thanked the president, stating it was an "privilege" to work in a unpaid capacity to "bring Greenland into the US."
After the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Since assuming office, the American leader has repeatedly unnerved transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The island is viewed as critically important for national security and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the most northerly US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Force
In a notable media appearance, the leader refused to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during intensifying 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 take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for global security."
Mounting Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of threats, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of classifying the United States as a "potential threat."
The prime ministers of Denmark and Greenland delivered a unified and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the island's inhabitants desire self-rule from Denmark, there is also little to no desire to become part of the United States. The island has had the legal right to seek independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Credible Scenario?
Military analysts are now re-evaluating the likelihood of such a move. One policy analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the rhetoric but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's not clear to me which power could do anything about it," she concluded.
