The latest US-led military action in the South American nation and the capture of its president have sparked apprehension regarding America's designs on Greenland. Members of the ex-president's political movement have allegedly set their sights on the strategically important landmass in the wake of the events in the southern hemisphere.
Inflammatory Posts and Diplomatic Backlash
Only a short time after the commencement of the Caracas operation, a prominent right-wing podcaster, who is married to a high-ranking White House adviser, posted a symbolic image. The graphic showed Greenland draped with the American flag, with the single-word caption: "SOON."
This overt suggestion to claim the mineral-rich region, which is a part of the North Atlantic alliance, triggered immediate and strong condemnation from Denmark's officials.
"Denmark and the US are strong partners and should continue to work together as such. US 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 US collaborate to ensure security in the North."
The diplomat further pointed out that the kingdom had significantly boosted its defence spending recently, earmarking a substantial sum specifically for Northern and regional security. "And yes, we expect full recognition for the sovereign borders of the Kingdom of Denmark," he added.
Political Moves and Geopolitical Interests
The situation were further exacerbated by the previous naming of a US state governor as a special envoy to Greenland. The governor had publicly expressed gratitude to the president, stating it was an "honour" to work in a volunteer role to "bring Greenland into the US."
Following the events in Venezuela, this representative praised the administration's decisive move, connecting it to the broader "fight against narcotics."
Ever since returning to office, the US president has repeatedly alarmed transatlantic partners with his expressed interest in Greenland. The territory is considered critically strategic for defence and future mineral exploitation. It already houses the northernmost US military base.
Leaving the Door Open to Military Action
In a notable television interview, the president refused to rule out the resorting to armed action to gain control of Greenland. This position comes during 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 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."
Mounting Tensions and Indigenous Opposition
In response to this constant "drumbeat" of intent, Danish security agency took the extraordinary step last month of labelling the United States as a "potential threat."
The leaders of both Greenland issued a joint and forceful rebuke: "We have said it very clearly before. Now we say it again... You cannot annex other countries."
Public opinion in Greenland shows a complex picture. While a vast majority of the territory's residents seek independence from Denmark, there is simultaneously little to no desire to join the United States. The island has had the option to seek independence for many years.
Expert Assessment: A Plausible Scenario?
Military experts are increasingly reconsidering the possibility of such a action. One policy analyst specializing in defence admitted she had previously dismissed the sabre-rattling but was "currently not so sure."
"Logistically, it would be feasible for the US to deploy a couple hundred or a couple thousand troops on Greenland, and it's unclear to me who could do anything about it," she concluded.
