The latest American bombardment in the South American nation and the capture of its president have renewed worry regarding America's ambitions on the Arctic territory. Members of the former president's political movement have allegedly focused on the resource-rich island following the operations in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Outrage
Merely hours after the start of the Venezuelan operation, a prominent right-wing commentator, who is married to a senior White House aide, shared a suggestive map. The picture showed Greenland covered in the American flag, with the cryptic caption: "COMING."
This blatant threat to annex the resource-abundant land, which is a member of the NATO alliance, provoked immediate and strong criticism from Danish representatives.
"Denmark and the US are close allies and should keep work together 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 US collaborate to guarantee security in the Arctic."
The ambassador further highlighted that the kingdom had substantially boosted its defence spending this year, earmarking a substantial amount expressly for Northern and regional defence. "Furthermore, we expect full recognition for the territorial integrity of the our realm," he added.
Administrative Appointments and Strategic Goals
The tensions were further exacerbated by the recent appointment of a Southern governor as a representative to Greenland. The appointee had publicly thanked the president, saying it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this envoy commended the administration's decisive move, linking it to the wider "fight against narcotics."
Since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly unnerved European partners with his expressed desire in Greenland. The territory is considered vitally strategic for national security and potential resource extraction. It already hosts the northernmost US air base.
Refusing to Rule Out Military Action
In a notable television interview, the leader refused to exclude the resorting to armed action to acquire Greenland. This stance comes during 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 described Greenland as having a "tiny amount of people, which we’ll take care of, and we’ll value them... But we need that for international security."
Growing Friction and Local Opposition
In response to this persistent "rhetoric" of intent, Danish intelligence service took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "security risk."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful statement: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot take over other countries."
Surveys in Greenland reveals a nuanced sentiment. While a overwhelming percentage of the territory's residents seek self-rule from Denmark, there is also scant appetite to join the United States. The territory has had the option to declare independence for over a decade.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One thinktank analyst focusing in defence admitted she had once discounted the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"It wouldn't be that hard for the US to station a couple hundred or a few thousand soldiers inside of Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she observed.
